Hearty Potato Soup

It's been so cold around here and so I've been in search of recipes that are going to stick to my ribs while I'm out playing or working in the snow! Here is a classic potato soup recipe that I helped make at a friend's house a couple days ago. It is a delicious and easy way to use the heirloom German Butterball potatoes we had in our farm share this week. My friends and I added bacon, but that is optional.

2 lbs potatoes

1/2 lb of bacon

1 onion

2 cloves of garlic

Milk or cream to taste

1 stick of butter

herbs to your liking (we used a bit of rosemary on top!)

Peel the potatoes if you like, boil in a soup pot. Brown bacon with the onion and garlic. Add milk/cream and butter, salt and pepper, herbs, bacon, onion, and garlic to the potatoes. Let cook and mash together. Add a bit of shredded parmesan cheese and chopped herbs to top!

Stay warm and eat well!

The best winter veg coleslaw

2 carrots, peeled
1 bulb of fennel, trimmed
at least two of the following: 3-4 radishes; 1 light-colored beet, peeled; 1 turnip; 1/2 small celeriac,
peeled
14 oz red/purple cabbage
1/2 a red onion, peeled
1 shallot, peeled
1 lemon
extra virgin olive oil
a handful o fresh herbs (use mint, fennel, dill, parsley, and chervil)-leaves picked and chopped
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp mustard
seat salt and freshly ground pepper

Shred the carrots, fennel and your choice of the radishes, beets, turnip or celeriac on a mandolin, or use the julienne slicer on your food processor. Put the veg into a mixing bowl. Slice the cabbage, onion and shallot as finely as you can and add to the bowl. In a separate bowl, mix half the lemon juice, a glug of extra virgin olive oil, the chopped herbs, yogurt and mustard. Pour this dressing over the veg and mix well to coat everything. Season to taste with salt and pepper and the rest of the lemon juice if you like.

From: Jamie at home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life by Jamie Oliver

Our notes: This really is the best, we have tried this recipe with pretty much any combination of substitutes and it is still our favorite. Great with honey and yogurt- adding apples is great too!

Egg Salad with Herbs

6 large free range eggs
3 scallions, including several inches of the greens, thinly sliced
1 tbsp chooped chervil or 2 tsp chopped tarragon or lovage (whatever herb is in season)
1 tbsp minced parsley
1 tbsp slivered chives
1/3 cup mayonnaise or more to taste
1 1/2 tsp smooth mustard
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Vinegar or fresh lemon juice

1. Place eggs in a pot of cold water and bring to a boul, and boil for 1 minute. Turn off heat, cover the pan and let stand for 15 minutes. Place them into a bowl of cold water and run cold water on them to cool. Peel.
2. Coarsley mash the eggs with a fork. Add scallions and herbs, holding back a few of the chives, the mayonnaise and the mustard. season with salt and pepper and a few drops of lemon or vinegar to taste.

Put on good bread with some arugula for a great sandwich!